This week in outbreaks

January 30, 2023

Influenza like illness (ILI) continued to recede in the week ending January 21. Although February is the worst month for good cheer, I’m hopeful that it will at least be a healthy one. At the national level, we’re hovering just above the threshold that marks the baseline level of respiratory illness. I expect we’ll cross the threshold next week. Sometimes influenza B drives a second wave in the springtime, but there are no signs of that yet.

Outpatient visits for respiratory illness for the week ending January 21, 2023. Source. Annotations mine.

Although younger groups have seen marked improvements in influenza-like illness activity, they still have elevated levels of fever, cough and sore throat. In young children, over 8% of visits to the doctor are for ILI, down from a high of 17%—but still higher than I’m sure parents would prefer (my household included). In people ages 5-24, 4% of visits to the doctor were for ILI, down from almost 13% during the height of the season. Other age groups are below 2.5% and falling.

Percentage of outpatient visits for respiratory illness by age group. Source.

Just three jurisdictions are reporting high levels of ILI activity this week, and the map is now mostly green, a pleasant change from the angry purple landscape from early December. New Mexico, New York City and Puerto Rico remain in the “high” category, but ILI activity in those jurisdictions has been slowing so I expect they’ll join the low/moderate groups soon.

COVID-19 activity is also improving in most areas of the country. Cases, hospitalizations and test positivity are all trending down. At the state level, there are some notable exceptions. The Appalachian region of the country has the highest case rate, especially Tennessee, which has a high and rising incidence. However, test positivity and hospitalizations are dropping there, so there are signs of improvement.

Daily hospital admissions for COVID-19 courtesy of NYTimes. Source.

RSV activity is still falling in all regions.

Seasonal coronaviruses refuse to take the hint; activity continued to rise this week, according to data from CDC and Biofire. Seasonal coronaviruses are a cause of the common cold. Rhinovirus/enterovirus, another cause of the common cold, are also up. If you are experiencing cold-like symptoms, please limit your exposure to other people and wear a mask while in public.

Food recalls

The following foods are being recalled because they are contaminated with bacteria that causes food poisoning. Please check your cupboards and throw out any of these items:

New this week:

• None!

Reported in the last month:

• Two recalls of alfalfa sprouts, sold by Fullei Fresh and SunSprout Enterprises. The sprouts were sold to retailers and distributors in Florida, Nebraska, Kansas and Iowa. (more info, more info)

• A recall of Enoki mushrooms sold by Utopia Foods Inc has been expanded to include packages with best by dates of 03/02/2023 and 03.09.23. The mushrooms were sold to wholesale companies in NY, NJ and CT. (more info)

• Frozen manicotti by Caesar’s Pasta, sold to restaurant distributors in Pennsylvania, New York and Puerto Rico (more info)

• There is also a multi-state outbreak of Listeria linked to deli meats and cheeses, but the specific source has not been identified. If you are pregnant, over the age of 65, or have a condition that weakens your immune system, consider avoiding meat or cheese from deli counters. (more info)

• If you have food allergies, you may wish to review these FDA safety alerts for foods with undeclared allergens.